Mail-bag catching and delivering apparatus.



0. 86 L, W. UHANNELL.

MAIL BAG UATGHING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS. urmcumn rum) nov. 21, mos.

,084, Patented May 11, 1909.

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0 & L W GHANNBLL MAIL BAG cxrcnma AND DELIVERING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 27, 1908.

Patented May 11, 1909.

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aumnl'ozs Orlando Ghmmell g Llewelh n wm meu 0. Sn L. 'W. CHANNELL.

MAIL BAG OATGHING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED NOV; 27, 1908. I

921 ,084. Patented May 11, 1909.

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,o8 4' APPLICATION TILED NOV. 271 1908. 11, 4 SHEETk-SHBETZ Elvwantozs &. m an na 1 a0 w W. mu 6 mm r1 L ORLANDO GHANNELL AND L'LEWEL'LYN w. CHANNELL, or CANTON, OHIO.

MAIL-BAG CATCHING AND DELIVERING A-PrARATns;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1909.

Application filed November 27, 1908. Serial No. 464,607.

To allwhom it may concern? Be it known'that we, ORLANDO'GHANNELL and LLEWELLYN- W. OI-IANNELL, citizens of the United States, residing at Canton, in the county of Stark, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Catching and Delivering Apparatus; and we dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to improvements in mail-low catching and delivering apparatus, and it has for its principal object t e provision of an exceedingly simple and efiiclent apparatus by means of which the simultaneous transfer of the mail-bag from a movin train to the receiving station, and

from t e latter to the train may be automatically effected as the train passes the station.

More especially, the invention residesin the articular construction of the crane, whici is located at the station, and of the car-carried catcher, the latter being formed with a longitudinal seat in which is slidable a block from which the bag to be delivered to the crane is suspended, while the crane includes an arm provided with a 1011 itudinal seat arranged to receive a sliding lock to which the catcher arm of the crane is secured.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding parts, or features, are

designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

Of the said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete apparatus; Flg. 2 p

is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3'is a view of the crane in its inoperative osition. Fig. 4 is a detail section through t 1e platform and the foot of the crane, illustrating the locking pin.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken horizontally through the swinging arm of the crane, on theline 55 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the sliding block to which the catcher is secured. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the catcher arm carried by the car. Figs. 9 and 10 are, respectively, longitudinal and horizontal sections taken on the lines 99 and 10-10 of Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a detail view of the slide from which the bag is sus ended.

Referring more. partic arly tothe drawings, A designates the car, B the catcher movable outwardly through the doorway formed in one of the sides of the car, and C,

the crane located at the receiving station.

As originally stated, however, the crane pre sents the'more important features of the invention. For this reason, its description will'be given prior tothat of the car-carried mechanism. e

- The crane which'is of inverted L-shape has the. reduced lowerend of its vertical arm 1 fitted loosely in an opening 41 formed in the platform 2 located adjacent the rails over which the mail crane travels. This reduced end has formed therein a pair of openings 3 and 4 arranged at right angles to each other and designed to be brought into registration with the inner end of a seat 5 formed in the upper face of the platform. The abovementioned seat is designed to receive a sliding pin 6 whose length is such that its inner end will extend into one or the other of the openings 3 and 4 according to whether the crane is in its operative or inoperative posh tion. The sides of the seat 5 and of the pin fitted therein are beveled in opposite directions, to prevent displacement of the .pin when the latter has been released from engagement with the openings in the end of the crane. The crane is braced by a series of three inclined rods 7 whose upper ends are secured to a collar 8 which embraces the reduced central portionof the vertical arm of the crane. The lower ends of the rods are fitted in shoes 9 bolted to the platform.

The horizontal arm 10 of the crane projects directly toward the track rail and terminates at its forward end in a trunnion 11 which passes through a horizontal opening the front face thereof, as shown, said bore "terminating at its inner end short of the opening through which the trunnion 11 passes, which latter carries a depending pin 16 arranged to contact with one or the other of the shoulders 17 formed by cutting away the portion of the front face of said arm at one side of the trunnion, the contact of the 7 pin with one or the other of said shoulders tending to limit the swinging movement of block carries the catcher 19, which is designed to remove the mail-bag from the carried mechanism as hereinafter described. The catcher which is constructed of steel or other suitable metal is in the form of an arm bent or curved adjacent its rear end, at which point, it is bolted or otherwise secured to the block 18, to provide a bag-receiving seat 20, the free forward portion of said arm extending outwardly at an angle to the slotted face of the arm 12. The curved portion of the catcher is formed with a depending spring detent 21 arranged for interchangeable engagement with a series of notches 22 formed in the lower portion. of the slotted face of the arm 12, the provision of the detent enabling the block and with it, the catcher to be held in adjusted position with respect to said arm. The outer end of t 1e arm 12 through which the above mentioned bore opens, has fitted thereon a threaded cap 23, the provision of whicn enables the block and catcher to be removed from said arm. Between the rear end of the block and the adjacent end of the bore, is fitted within the bore an expansible coil spring 24, which not only serves to retain the detent 21 in en agement with the notches, but also acts as a buffer, inasmuch as it absorbs the jar incidental to the removal of the mail-bag from the car-carried mechanism. The provision of the removable cap above referred to, likewise enables this spring to be removed and replaced by a new one when worn or otherwise injured.

Owing to the loose engagement of the crane arm 1 with the collar 8, and to the loose fit of the lower end of said arm in the opening 41 in the platform 2, it will be apparent that the entire crane may be swung from operative to inoperative position, and vice versa. In the former position, the arm 12 is disposed parallel with the track rails, and in the latter position at right angles thereto, the movement of the crane be g facilitated by the provision of a handle 25 whose inner end is fastened in an opening formed transversely through the arm 1. It

will also be apparent that the provision of the pin 6 and the formation of the opei'iings 3 and 4 permit the crane to be locked in both its operative and its inoperative positions, the inner end of the pin extending into the opening 3 in the first instance, and. in the opening 4 in the second instance. Moreover, the particular manner in which the arm 12 is mounted, as above described,

permits of said arm being swung bodily either to the right orto the left, according as the train approaches the receiving station from one side or the other, said arm being retained in horizontal position by the contact of the pin 16 with one or the other of the vertical shoulders 17, as will be undcrstoml.

intermediate the ends of the arm of the crane is mounted a standard 20 whose free end is bifurcated. Between the cars formed by this bifurcation is centrally pivoted a lever 27 whose enlarged rear end has attached thereto a weight 28, while its forward end carries a collar formed with a transversely-disposed bag-supporting arm 29, whose ends are slightly curved, so as to serve as hooks. The lever 27 is disposed directly above and parallel with the arm 10, while the arm is disposed parallel with the arm 12. The maihbag to be delivered to the car-carried mechanism is suspended from one or the other of the hooked ends of the arm 29 according to the direction in which the train is traveling.

The catching mcchanism B. which, as previously stated, is movable through the doorway formed in the car side, consists primarily, of a horizontally-disposcd rotatable rod or shaft 30 journaled in bearing openings formed in the side walls of the doorway, and an inclined arm 31 formed integral with said shaft, or secured thereto, as prefcrrcd. The arm 31 which serves as the catcher proper, has its outer face formed with a linieitudinal seat 3'2 in which is slidablv lit ed a triangular block 33. said block having its inner portion reduced and dove-tailed. so as to prevent its lateral disl' lacement from the said seat. The block carries a swi' ging linger 34 mounted upon a trunnion 10 formed upon the front face of the block and pr vided with a cross-pin 35, the pin being arranged to contact with a pair of diametrically-opposite slimildcrs =12 formed upon the finger. The rear face of the block has secured thereto a spring dctent 36 arranged for engagement with the indcntations 2-37 and 38 formed in the rear wall of the seat 32 toward the opposite ends thereof, the effect of such cu; cmcnt being to retain the block either in its operative or inoperative position, according as to whether it has been moved to the front or to the rear end of the seat, such movement being effected by means of a handle 53$) which is likewise secnrcd to the last named face of the block. 'lhe sea 1 3;? has its rear end open. shown. this construction pormitting the removal of the block $53, as will be apparent.

The iiinger 8 which is formed adjacent its upper end with a notch4l3 is designed to carry the mail bag to be delivered to the station mechanism, and to this end it is provided with a spring hook 44 which projects downwardly past the notch as shown in Fig. 8, the ring 45 at the top of the bag being arranged lllll to be engaged by thehookandto. extend into I said notch. This fingeralso .serves the furtherfunction of preventing a swinging movement of the bag when thetrain is traveling at a high. rate' of speed, .thusumaintaining the bag inpro erposition tosbe'engaged by the cranecatc er. 19, there'being a ring 46 attached, preferably, to the upper portion. of

therbag through which ring thefinger passes. In the operation of- I the. invention, as a whole, the crane is rotated by means of its handle into position to dispose the. supporting. a-rm.12 parallel with the tracks, orin other- -words, in operative position, after which said arm is swungto the right or to the left, according to the direction in which the approaching trainis traveling. The mailbag to be delivered to thetrain isithen suspended from the proper hookedend of the arm 29. In themeantime, the ostal clerk in the mail-car attaches the mai bag to be delivered tothe station mechanism to the finger 34, by engaging the. ring 45 with. the hook 44, thering 46 having been previously slipped over the finger. The shaft 30is then rotated, so as to project the catcher arm 31 directly through thedoorway. As thetrain passes the station -the. catcher 19 will strike against the finger andithemail-bag carried thereby, the impact swinging the finger upwardly, the bag being removed from the finger during. such-movement. wAt the same time,-the .arm 31 will removethe baglsuspended from the .arm 29. After the transfers have been effected, the crane is'rotated intzo its ino erative position, and the pin 6 reengaged -t erewith, the shaft-30 beinglikewise rotated, to swing the arm 31 into the interior of the car.

In connection with each trunnion it has been found-desirable toemploy a washer 47 which is fitted thereon and is formed of a compressible central member and a pair of thin metal wear plates disposedon opposite sides thereof, the inter-position of the washer between the end of the element on which the trunnion is formed and the swinging element, (the finger or the arm 12), tending to yieldingly hold the latter against the cross-pin carried by the trunnion.

What is claimed is:

1. In an ap aratus of the class specified, an arm provided with a longitudinal seat opening through one end thereof; a slide arranged for bodily movement in said seat. and for removal therefrom through the open end thereof; a bag-engaging arm carried by the slide and means for retaining said slide in adjusted position in said seat.

2. In an ap aratus of the class specified, an arm rovided with a longitudinal seat 0 ening t rough one end thereof, and with a urality of indentations; a slide arranged for bodily movement in said seat and for removal therefrom; a bag-engaging member carried by the slide; and means carried by said slide .and arranged for engagement with said indentations, to hold the slide in adjusted position in said seat.

I 3. In an ap aratus of the-class specified, an arm provi ed with a longitudinal bore having its rearend closed, said boreo ening through the front face of said arm; a s lde arranged forbodily movement in said bore and having ,a portion thereof projecting through the front face of the arm; a bag-engaging member secured to said projecting ortion; and a buffer inter osed between it e rear ends of the slide an the bore.

4. Inan ap aratus of the class specified, an. arm provided with a longitudinal bore having-itsrear end closed, said bore opening through the front face of the arm, said arm having a series of indentations formed in said face; a slide arranged for bodily movement in said bore and having its front portion projecting through said front face; a bag-engaging arm secured to said projecting portion;

- and a detent formed integral with said arm and arranged for engagement with said indentations, to retain the slide in adjustedposition.

' 5. In. an apparatus of the class specified,

arm arranged at right angles to. the first named arm and formed with an opening through which the trunnion extends, to permit the swinging movement of the last named arm; a pair of shoulders formed upon said last named. arm; a member carried by said trunnion and arranged for engagement with one or the other of said shoulders, to retain said last named arm at one side or the other of said first named arm, and a bag-engaging-arm carried by the said last named arm. 7

6. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a crane having-"one arm thereof provided with a trunnion, of a swinging arm arranged at right angles to the first named arm and formed with an opening through which the trunnion extends, said last named arm being provided with a longitudinal seat, a slide arranged for bodily movement in said seat; a bag-engaging arm carried by the slide; means for retaining said slide in adjusted position in said seat; a pair of shoulders formed upon the last named arm and located at opposite sides of the trunnion;

and a member carried by said trunnion and arranged for engagement with one or the other of said shoulders, to hold said last named arm in position at one side or the other of said first named arm.

7. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a platform having an opening, and aseat communicating with the opening, of a rotatable crane having its lower end fitting in said openings and provided with a pair of perforations arranged to register with said seat during the rotation of the crane; separate catching and delivering mechanisms carried by the crane; and a member movable in said seat and having its I inner end arranged for engagement in one or the other of said perforations, to retain the crane in operative or inoperative position.

8. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination, with a platform provided with an opening and with a seat communicating with the opening, of a rotatable L-shaped crane having its lower end fitting in said opening and formed with a pair of perforations arranged for movement into alinement with said seat during the rotation of the crane; a standard mounted upon the horizontal arm of the crane; a member pivoted to the upper end of the standard; a bag-supporting arm carried by said member; an arm attached to the free end of said horizontal arm; a catcher carried by the last named arm; and a member movable in said seat and having its inner end arranged for engagement *ith one or the other of said perforations, to retain the crane in operative or inoperative position.

In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a platform, of a rotatable crane mounted upon the platform and consisting of a vertical arm and a horizontal arm secured to the upper end of said vertical arm; a standard mounted upon said horizontal arm; a member pivoted centrally to the upper end of said standard and arranged for movement in a vertical plane; a bagsnpporting arm secured to the front end of said member; a horizontal arm pivoted to the free end of the first named horizontal arm and arranged for swinging movement in a plane at right angles to the plane of movement of said pivoted member; and a catcher carried by the last named horizontal arm.

10. In an apparatus of the class specified,

the combination. with a platform having an opening formed in its upper face, and a seat communicating with said opening, of a rotatable L-shaped crane comprising a vertical arm having its lower end fitting in said open ing, and a horizontal arm secured to the upper end of said vertical arm, the lower end of said vertical arm being formed with a pair of perforations arranged for movement into alinement with the seat during the rotation of the crane; a standard mounted. upon said horizontal arm; a member pivoted intermediate its ends to the upper end of the standard and arranged for movement in a vertical plane; a bag-supporting arm secured to the front end of said member; a horizontal arm pivoted to the front end of the lirstenentioned horizontal arm and arranged for swinging movement in a vertical plane at right angles to the plane of movement of said pivoted member; a catcher carried by the last named horizontal arm; and a member movable in said seat and having its inner end arranged for engagement'in one or the other of said perforations, to retain the crane in operative or inoperative position.

1]. In an apparatus of the class s )ecified, an arm provided with a longitudinal seat; a slide arranged for bodily movement in said seat; a bag-engaging member carried by the slide; a detent carried by the slide and. arranged to engage one of the walls of the seat for holding the slide in adjusted position; and means for holding the arm in operative position.

In testimony whereof, we allix our signatures, in presence of two witnesses.

his ORLANDO ()llANNElih.

mark LLEWELLYN W. CHANNELL.

Witnesses E. L. RAMBO, WM. FELLER. 

